From Harajuku to Home

 We had a busy last day in Japan.  We decided to head back to Harajuku for some more shopping fun.  The girls were on a mission from some candy from a fun candy shop they saw last time.  We were just happy to keep them busy because our journey home wouldn't begin until 4:45 and we had already checked out of our hotel.

Had fun on our 2nd trip down Takeshita street.  We popped in and out of shops that we had remembered.  On the way back to the station, we stumbled across Mejii Shrine.  We had talked about visiting there earlier but knew Mack wouldn't be happy seeing another temple or shrine.  We just happened by it and casually walked in.  She saw it and started crying.  She cried on the beautiful, damp, forest walk all the way to the shrine.  It makes it a little (lot) less enjoyable but we continued on.  It was a lovely sidestep from our voyage back to the train station, which we did immediately after leaving.  We saw a man with owls sitting on his arm when we left.  The girls were thrilled with that.  A bit random if you ask me, but all in all it was a great end to the trip.  Got em nice and tired and headed for the airport on the train.  We had a red-eye flight to Honolulu to catch!  After a month, we were headed home. 

I am blogging from my living room tonight.  The suitcases have been emptied.  Half of the laundry has been washed.The dog has been loved, cat snuggled, souvenirs carefully placed in their new place.  Brian and I have been talking about where we'd like to visit next.  Well, after our October trip to Yosemite.  Travel makes you want to travel. 

This trip has been a really great experience for us.  I asked everyone to think about one thing they liked, one thing they didn't like, and one thing they learned about the trip.  I don't have a list of those things to share with you other than that Mack liked the water park the best and the temples the least.  Fiona learned that there are people in the world less fortunate than she is.  I am happy to know that she saw that. I think Fiona grew as an eater too!  She was a little more brave than we expected and taking the cooking class helped her know what goes in the food.  It's a breakthrough for my burrito eating girl.  

I liked so much about this trip.  A few things were not my favorite but really, I enjoyed those too.  I loved watching our children navigate in a different country for a month.  They were pushed way out of their comfort zone a few times and even though some things are hard for our family because of special needs, we did them anyway.  A friend of mine sent me a note to tell me she was happy to know that we don't Mack's needs slow us down.  She is right.  We just have to go on with life and make adjustments as needed.  In all honesty, we had some moments where I was embarrassed by the behaviors because culturally they were very disrespectful.  But, those people don't know our story.  We are out in the world still writing it and I am so happy we decided to write these chapters in Japan, Thailand, and Cambodia.  I see lights of inspiration after our travels.  I will continue to savor this trip for a long time as I continue to put away our things and sort through our pictures.  

All the tickets, maps, and guides we gathered along the way.

Thank you for coming along with us and reading our blog.  I am happy that I have a daily record of what we did for our girls to remember and see as they grow.  Do take time to travel.  Go somewhere you have wanted to see.  It changes you for the good.  Sayonara. Laagorn Ka.  Choum reap lear.